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Brief Synopsis – A struggling actress in Hollywood meets a down on his luck Jazz musician and together they try to live the dream of Hollywood.

My Take on it – There has been so much hype around this film for the last few months and it has easily made itself to be the film to beat at every awards show of this season.

I doubt many of you have never heard of this film and/or seen it.

It’s an amazing modern day musical that works on so many levels and is able to capture the look and feel of Hollywood musicals of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

The songs for the film are extremely catchy and it’s so easy to get them stuck in your head. (It’s been almost a week since I saw this and I can’t get City of Stars out of my head).

The production on this film is amazingly done and they are able to fit it all together so easily.

The only problem that I have with this film is that the story isn’t as magical as one would hope from a musical. but they still are able to use it to great effect with the message of the film.

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling have great chemistry together and it’s simple to believe their love for one another.

This is a film that we will all see garner lots and lots of statues come Oscar Night in four weeks from tonight!

This isn’t THE best film of the year, but it comes close IMHO.

Bottom Line – Amazing modern musical that really manages to capture the look and feel of musicals of old. Excellent songs that are immediately catchy and get you hooked so easily. The production is superbly managed and it all fits together so well. The one minor problem is the story itself isn’t as magical as we perceive musicals to be but the message of the film is extremely clear. Stone and Gosling are great together and have lots of fun chemistry. Look for this film to amass lots and lots of awards come Oscar night despite it not being the best film of the year. Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – The audition scene, where the casting director interrupts Mia’s emotional performance to take a phone call, was actually inspired by one of Ryan Gosling’s auditions in real life. (From IMDB)

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14 thoughts on “La La Land (2016)”

Good review, Rob. I liked the movie, but wasn’t blown away. That said, I haven’t watched classic musicals that the film homages, so I’m missing part of the charm and romanticism of the genre. I liked the familiar story and characters. The director executed this sort of comfortable cliche rather well – and is the film’s highlight. Top 10 worthy, for me, but not Top 5.